LSU vs Mississippi   Picks & Props

LSU's front seven is one of the scariest in college football. The Tigers' defense is ranked third nationally in havoc rate (30.2%) and Top 10 in both EPA per pass and rush. Blake Baker's pass rush will pressure Trinidad Chambliss, and if he isn't perfect, Ole Miss is going to have a tough time scoring more than 27 points. LSU's coaching staff knows Chambliss well, too, and that should give the Tigers an edge.

With Lane Kiffin on one side and Trinidad Chambliss on the other, offense is the talk heading into this game. But LSU has one of the best defenses in the country (ranked No. 2 by SP+), and its offense is also going to have to deal with a rambunctious Ole Miss crowd. I think a slow offensive start from both sides should fuel the Under (I like the Under at 56.5 or better).

LSU-Ole Miss has all the makings of absolute mayhem. Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford for the first time since leaving the Rebels for LSU, and you already know the Ole Miss faithful will have plenty to say. Add in Kiffin’s love for the villain role, a hostile environment and uncertainty surrounding LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, and I want no part of picking a side. I want points. Both teams have plenty of motivation, and I expect this matchup to play at a fast pace with plenty of scoring opportunities. I grabbed the over at 58.5, but 57.5 is still available.

LSU’s dominating performance versus Clemson in Week 1 might not prove to be overly impressive considering Clemson might be lucky to make a bowl game this year.
 
Also, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has quietly thrown four interceptions already this season. Obviously, multiple turnovers is not a recipe for success on the road.

While Kiffin and Trinidad Chambliss are the headliners for this year's Magnolia Bowl, I think LSU will cover on the road because of its defense (specifically its front seven). Princewill Umanmielen (10) and Jordan Ross (8) are both Top 25 in the country in pressures, and the Tigers' defense is third nationally in havoc rate (30.2%). Ole Miss' defense has been far less impressive, ranking third-last in the SEC in havoc rate (15.5%) with 21 pressures through two games (LSU has 48). 

Let's get out infront of an expected line move. Both of these teams are in the top five nationally in terms of plays per minute, so expect a fast tempo with lots of opportunities on both sides. Expect motivation for scoring as well. Both of these teams want to kill each other and if there's opportunities to score late in the game, don't expect either to hold back.